After a long career as an archaeologist, Elles has been practising European and Dutch immigration law since 2013. Before she became an attorney-at-law, Elles was involved in several research projects of the University of Amsterdam and Amnesty International on integration, family reunification procedures, human rights of migrants without documents and economic integration of refugees, among other topics.
Elles is a passionate lawyer in the field of European immigration law and nationality law. In her practice, Elles mainly assists individuals, particularly in the areas of family migration, EU residence rights (such as Chavez-Vilchez) and acquisition and loss of Dutch citizenship. In addition, Elles has a love for the arts and assists a large group of independent artists, musicians and dancers.
Elles regularly writes articles for professional journals, is active at Lawyers 4 Lawyers and supervises students at the Free University and the University of Amsterdam.
Netherlands Bar registration
Elles Besselsen has registered the following principal legal practice areas in the Netherlands Bar’s register of legal practice areas (rechtsgebiedenregister):
- Immigration law
Based on this registration, she is required to obtain ten training credits per calendar year in each registered principal legal practice area in accordance with the standards set by the Netherlands Bar.
Lawyers 4 Lawyers - Chair of focus group Europe
WRV - Dutch professional organization for immigration attorneys
SVMA - Specialist Association of Migration Lawyers
